For those that aren't aware the Puffin count has plumitted by about 40% this year as reported in the papers about the start of the month. It was interesting being on the IOM to see what that means in real terms and the breeding numbers were visibly down from previous years.
The aim for the week was Puffins against different coloured backgrounds. I'll start with the Red of Sorrel which is profuse on the Island.
Taken as the sun was setting to enhance the Sorrel colour. The birds where picked up as they entered a Sorrel sided gully and shot as they approached being parrellel with me as I sat in the shade against a rock.
Handheld/300mm
4000/F2.8/400ASA
crop to decentralise and normal PS
Nice catch - it's not easy tracking them down that gully. Wayne had better watch out with flight shots!
I do find this a bit too 'warm' for my liking tho'. If you go for printing this, you should watch the sharpening as it's getting close to being cut-out style here (esp around nearest wing), and the whites are close to the edge too.
BTW - I'd wondered why a rock was wielding a 300 .
Posted by Simon Litten on June 23, 2008 at 7:12 PM
Sad news about the puffin numbers but at least this one's not goimg hungry!
Can't argue with what's been said - the light and the background sets this image apart from most flight shots. Well done you!
I have to agree with Nicks comments here re the sharpness and "hot" whites Tom, but its a great shot that I am sure is "all there" with a little different processing, very nice!
This has an appeal for me largely because of the different background. The bird's shape is superb and the obligitary sandeels finish it off nicely. I agree with others about the hotspot between the eye and bill, but it would be a shame to lose that sunny-day feel by damping down too much. A personal preference would be to have a smidge more space at the bottom, but it still works well.
Top shot - difficult to come up with something fresh-looking on puffins - I'd be interested to know how many captures you got through before nailing this one?
Looks good, the shoulder area and down below the wing, plus the afore mentioned between eye and bill are heading to 'hot' but that could be down to compression...
Discussion
12 repliesThe aim for the week was Puffins against different coloured backgrounds. I'll start with the Red of Sorrel which is profuse on the Island.
Taken as the sun was setting to enhance the Sorrel colour. The birds where picked up as they entered a Sorrel sided gully and shot as they approached being parrellel with me as I sat in the shade against a rock.
Handheld/300mm
4000/F2.8/400ASA
crop to decentralise and normal PS
What a gorgeous backdrop and lovely light.
Wonderful pose too.
One of the nicest puffin in flight shots I've seen.
Dave
Robert.
Spot on Tom, the low sunlight really picks up the detail in the feathers. Excellent shot.
Rob
I do find this a bit too 'warm' for my liking tho'. If you go for printing this, you should watch the sharpening as it's getting close to being cut-out style here (esp around nearest wing), and the whites are close to the edge too.
BTW - I'd wondered why a rock was wielding a 300
Can't argue with what's been said - the light and the background sets this image apart from most flight shots. Well done you!
Simon
Agree a small tweak in the white area would polish it off, as it does drag my eye away from the head area slightly.
Beautiful setting, and attractive shot
Alan
T
It doesn't appear blown, on my screen, but just a bit glarey {likely its just a result of the low sun angle reflecting directly back at the camera}.
Probably just a small 'tone-down' job required, rather than a raw exposure tweak.
Alan
This has an appeal for me largely because of the different background. The bird's shape is superb and the obligitary sandeels finish it off nicely. I agree with others about the hotspot between the eye and bill, but it would be a shame to lose that sunny-day feel by damping down too much. A personal preference would be to have a smidge more space at the bottom, but it still works well.
Top shot - difficult to come up with something fresh-looking on puffins - I'd be interested to know how many captures you got through before nailing this one?
Chris
Agree with Nicks other comments too...